Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/208

180 aside, and so the two chiefs could not at first come together. The Count's men, being the more numerous, were trying to pass through the gateway; while Edgar's men, knowing that in open ground they would have much less chance against their assailants, resisted desperately, resolved to hold their place at any cost. Thus the battle raged with great fury around the gateway, and whenever the assailants succeeded in pushing Edgar and his soldiers a pace or two backward, the defenders would rally and regain the ground they had lost. Three times, four times, this retreat and return were repeated before chance brought the Count and Edgar within reach of each other's arms. Then the Count, shouting: "Leave him to me—back men, back!" attacked Edgar with furious cuts which Edgar received upon his shield. Edgar, flushed with pride that he was engaged with the Count, called also to his own men to let the duel go on. Not unwilling to see the champions engage in a hand-to-hand fight, the soldiers obeyed, drawing back a few feet on each side, and leaving a clear space wherein Edgar and the Count had freedom to ply their weapons. Edgar, being younger and weaker than his opponent, fought warily, contenting himself with receiving the Count's blade upon his shield, or warding his blows by interposing the handle of his ax.